Atorvastatin and PMR

[wendyanne49]

Does anyone take Atorvastatin who has been diagnosed with PMR? I was diagnosed with PMR nine years ago. Couldn’t get below 3mg and have been put on a ‘ maintenance’ dose of 5mg as my adrenal glands don’t seem to want to wake up.

It’s been recommended that I take a statin to protect against stroke/ cardiac related problems in the future. I notice that one of the possible inter reactions with this drug can be with fibromyalgia. Does this also apply to PMR?

Just trying to get all the facts before starting on new medication . I’m lucky ( I think) that my GP practice is keen on preventative treatments but I like to be aware of any possible problems.

Thanks.

[Pixix]

Yes, I’ve been on Atorvastatin for years, due to familial high cholesterol that doesn’t lower if diet corrected etc! Plus my Mum had a stroke. I’ve had no side effects that I know of! I have both polymyalgia & fibromyalgia & I’m intrigued by your comment re interaction with FM. I couldn’t get below 4mg without many issues, & my gp put me back to 5mg & said I could stay there if I want to! But I’d like to be clear of them, & I’m currently managing 5mg then 4mg, alternating days. But 3pm I know I’m on a 4mg day! Having another chat to GP next week to get advice on that, plus a number of other issues! If you could tell me where you read about the interaction of Atorvastatin and fibromyalgia I’d be really pleased!

[wendyanne49 in reply to Pixix]

HiThe comment about fibromyalgia and Atorvastatin is on the NHS link given to me by my GP practice

[Pixix in reply to wendyanne49]

You’re lucky, I haven’t had a link like that, guess I will trawl through Google & NHS to try & find it!

[Pixix in reply to Pixix]

I found it…I was on atorvastatin before I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, polymyalgia & inflammatory arthritis. I also have blood pressure issues, & coupled with Mum’s stroke I decided I better try it. The same doctor prescribed it as diagnosed me with fibromyalgia so I know it was taken into consideration. I usually get all the side effects from every drug I take, but I’ve had none from this statin. I guess it’s a personal decision, taking your medical history into account, & you’re always going to find people for & against statins…we read how bad they are in the papers, & two months later another article telling us they’re the best things possible!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to wendyanne49]

There have been studies associating PMR and statins - never looked for fibro

[cmToddy in reply to Pixix]

I take Atorvastatin at night and am on Pred no problems after over 2 years.

[herdysheep]

I have pmr and also on atorvastatin. No real side effects apart from loss of muscle mass which I blamed on the statins. Before going on statins I did discuss a trial period with gp of real effort to control high cholesterol with lifestyle, diet, exercise etc., sadly to no avail. Also on BP meds so reluctantly agreed to statins. I would have avoided them if there had been something I could do that would make the difference!

[wendyanne49 in reply to herdysheep]

Thanks for this info. I need to consider all before making my choice.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I was put onto atorvastatin several years ago with existing PMR and with promises of being monitored closely because I was so reluctant and within just over a week I could barely walk up the gentle slope into the hospital from the back gate. It took about 3 or 4 weeks to recover having stopped very quickly but months to be back at the status I had been just 2 weeks before at discharge from hospital. The cardiologist agreed there was little evidence it would benefit me and I have never restarted - but I have a pack of a different one to try now, different cardiologist who was not so convinced. I am very reluctant to add another tablet to the daily dosette box - haven't overcome my fear yet.

The worst 2 for PMR-type symptoms developing are said to be simvastatin and atorvastatin though others can also cause problems - there are several people on the forum who had problems with some but by trying others did identify one that they were OK with.

[wendyanne49 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for your reply. I don’t have high cholesterol.

The suggestion to add statins to my daily meds mix is purely for a ‘ what if ‘ scenario. Apparently I have a 28% chance of cardiac/ stroke problems in the next ten years

( they’ve done an algorithm!!) I am 72 and apart from my PMR related problems am in good health with no family history of cardiac problems etc.

It’s so difficult to make the right choice.

Kind regards

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to wendyanne49]

If my cholesterol wasn't raised I would still be saying no.

[nallufl24]

I’ve tried 3 different statin drugs. They all caused severe muscle pain in my legs. This was before GCA. I stopped taking them but still worry about my cholesterol, especially now on pred and Actemra. I’m not overweight and always exercised before GCA. Mine is also hereditary. I don’t know what I’ll do if cholesterol goes up even farther. As far as I know, most people don’t have any problems with statins. I’m just one of those people who do.

[Rostom]

I have been taking Atorvastatin for several years but was only diagnosed with PMR almost three months ago.

I was initially hesitant to take a statin for prophylactic reasons but did so and have had absolutely no problems. I was simultaneously prescribed Eliquis=

(apixiban, which is an anti-coagulant) as I have an arrythmia so eventually understood the rationale behind the prescribing. I guess your doctor would like you on stations because he/she feels you would benefit from them.

Are there other (I know you have tried three) statins you could try?